Fighting is one word that can get everybody’s attention. The definition of fighting as defined by thefreedictionary.com is: to attempt to harm or gain power over an adversary by blows or with weapons. Fighting may seem to be on the rise at PAHS or is it really? Below is a comparison of PAHS to Washington State’s schools statewide?

The U.S. Department of Education requires the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to annually report the number of students suspended or expelled for violence. The State maintains the data statewide and for each county.

The most recent report titled: 2009-10 Behavior Report-Suspensions and Expulsions (February 04, 2011) for Washington statewide suspensions data were as follows for 2009-10:

• Total Washington State October student enrollment: 1,025,184
• Fighting without major injury: students suspended: 18,020; students expelled: 334
• Violence without major injury: students suspended: 6,306; students expelled: 239
• Violence with major injury: students suspended: 202; students expelled: 23

Clallam County school districts: Cape Flattery School District; Crescent School District; Port Angeles School District; Quillayute Valley School District; and Sequim School District (grades K-12) reported the following data for 2009-10:

• Total county-wide October student enrollment: 11,404
• Fighting without major injury: students suspended: 169; students expelled: 1
• Violence without major injury: students suspended: 71; students expelled: 1
• Violence with major injury: students suspended: 4; students expelled: 0

     According to Assistant Principal, Jeff Clark, PAHS doesn’t keep track of the number of fights. However, PAHS does track suspensions, which are coded #2 (assault) and #18 (fighting). PAHS suspensions data is as follows:

• 2008-09: assaults 15; fighting 15
• 2009-10: assaults 14; fighting 7
• 2010-11: assaults 17; fighting 10
• 2011-12: (so far) assaults 4; fighting 12

     Violence has a huge impact with our teen generation. Kids/teens see violence on the news, on television shows, experience violence playing video games, read about it in books and comics, and are even exposed to violence when they listen to music.

Something most students want to see is fighting; anything from a girl fight to a guy fight; it’s almost as if no one wants to miss out on it. For example, when a fight goes down the word spreads around the school faster than a moth flies to a light.

Fighting is entertainment for many high school students. The thought of someone they don’t know, or even better someone they do know getting their face pounded by someone else is something some students love. Why would you want to see/experience such violence?

    PAHS does not tolerate violence! PAHS is an academic environment that discourages violence. Shouldn’t the focus of students be on studies?

There are many different ways to curb your anger. For example, if you want to get rid of your anger and frustration join a sport. If fighting is all you can do, join fight club.

Don’t waste your time fighting. Instead of stooping to low entertainment by amusing yourself by watching a fight join a club at lunch, spend time with good friends, or better yet spend extra time studying in the library.

There is more to life than actually fighting. Do school work while at school, and avoid the fight scene altogether. Avoid getting being suspended at all costs!

Resources: OSPI School Safety Center: Student Behavior Data: http://www.k12.wa.us/SafetyCenter/Behavior/default.aspx  http://www.k12.wa.us/SafetyCenter/Behavior/pubdocs/rptBehavior0910.pdf